Veneer wall construction



A nl 29, 1958 J. AMORUSO 2,

VENEER WALL CONSTRUCTION Filed Jan. 22, 1957 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 8 1 g 4 6 I INVENTOR. 52 26 JOSEPH AMORUSO 2/ M 'Z-1 Attorney 8 April 29, 1958 J, AMORU'SQ 2,832,102

VENEER WALL CONSTRUCTION Filed Jan; 22, 1957 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. J OSEPH AMORUSO w/wmww A ttorney iiinite States Patent Ofiice 2,832,102 Patented Apr. 29, 1958 VENEER WALL CONSTRUCTION Joseph Amoruso, Flushing, N. Y. Application January 22, 1957, Serial No. 635,176

8 Claims. (Cl. 20-4) This invention relates to tile block veneer or facing wall construction. It has for its general object the provision of improved and practical means for quickly erecting a strong tile block veener wall of an improved and highly desirable nature.

A feature of the invention is a particular structure and arrangement of tile blocks and holding elements whereby a strong interlocked tile block veneer wall is enabled.

An advantage of a veneer Wall structure constructed in accordance with the invention is its strength, as well as a desirable air space provided at the rear of the wall.

A further feature of the invention is certain holding means which is quickly attachable to a supporting wall and is adapted to receive and hold a plurality of courses of tile blocks. The latter may be of brick, ceramic, glass, wood, or other material.

Another feature of the invention is the particular structure of the tile block which makes it readily receivable in the holding means.

A still further feature of the invention is certain spacing means associated with the holding means, whereby tile blocks received in the latter are held forwardly thereof so as to have an air space at the rear.

And yet another feature of the invention is certain means for finishing oh the corner of adjacent veneer wall structures utilizing the holding means, whereby the Wall structures are further interlocked and strengthened.

it is a still further and more particular object of the invention to provide means for constructing tile block veneer wall structures incorporating the various features mentioned above.

The invention further lies in certain structures, in their particular arrangement, and in their cooperative association with one another to effect the purposes intended herein.

The foregoing and other objects, features, and advantages of the invention will appear more fully hereinafter from a consideration of the detailed description which follows, taken together with the accompanying drawings wherein an embodiment of the invention is illustrated. It is to be expressly understood, however, that the drawings are for the purpose of illustration and description and are not to be construed as defining the limits of the invention.

in the drawings:

Fig. l is a perspective view showing a fragmentary section of a veneer wall structure embodying the invention;

Fig. 2 is a similar view, but shows a veneer wall structure embodying a modified form of the invention;

Fig. 3 is a front elevational view of a fragmentary portion of a length of corner strip used in finishing off a corner where adjacent veneer wall structures meet; and.

Fig. 4 is a top plan of a fragmentary section of adjacent veneer wall structures of the type in Fig. l and embodying the corner strip shown in Fig. 3.

In describing the invention in further detail reference is directed to the several drawings, and now especially to 2 Fig. 1 wherein there is disclosed a supporting vertical wall 1 of a building, on the outer face of which is formed a tile block veneer wall 2.

The veneer wall structure includes a tile block holding frame 3. The latter has a main body portion or back plate 4 which is fastened, as by nails 5, to the outer face of the supporting wall 1.

l roiecting forwardly at right angles from the back plate 4 is a series of narrow shelves or panels 6, horizontally disposed one above the other in parallel spaced relation, whereby between each pair of panels a channel 7 is formed. Each channel is adapted to accommodate a succession of tile blocks 8 so as to form a course of the veneer wall. The tile blocks are located at the forward portion of the channel and are so arranged that an air space 9 is provided at the rear thereof.

The holding frame 3 is formed of sheet metal, preferably of a rust resistant type. It may be formed in a variety of stock lengths and heights, or it may be made up in a size to cover a specific size wall area. Stock sizes are preferable, as they may be selected and added to or cut down, as needed to cover a particular wall area.

The shelf or panel portions 6 of the back plate may be formed as separate parts and subsequently soldered or otherwise made unitary with the back plate. Here, each panel 6 is an offset continuation of the back plate. To provide a strong panel to serve the purpose of supporting the tile blocks of a channel, each panel is of a double layer structure, having an underlayer 11 and an upper layer 12. An upwardly extending lip 13 is formed by an upward bend at the marginal free ends of both layers. The lip l3, and the layers 11 and 12 are an offset continuation of the back plate.

The tile blocks 8 are accommodated in the several channels of the holding frame in a manner whereby they are locked not only in their respective channels but also to the tile blocks in the adjacent channels above and below. To this end, each tile block is of rectangular proportions, having a front facing wall 14, a rear wall 15, side walls 16, and top and bottom walls. Lengthwise of the top wall is a vertical slot 19 extending down into the body of the block, and lengthwise of the bottom wall is a directly oppositely extending slot 21.

A plurality of shoes or clips 22 are arranged in the channels. These are associated with the slots of the blocks and the lips of the channels in locating the blocks and in locking the blocks of one channel with those of adjacent channels.

A clip 22 is formed or bent to a particular shape from sheet metal stock. it includes a U portion 23 which is adapted to seat upon the upper surface of a panel member 6 at the forward portion of a channel. The right arm 24 of the U portion extends upwardly parallel to the back plate 4 to about midway of the channel. It then bends at right angles to provide a flange 25 which abuts the back plate of the channel. The left arm. 26 of the U portion extends up to the top of lip 13 in contact therewith, bends over the lip as at 27 in a hair pin turn, and then depends downwardly to provide a plate portion 28 that hangs down in front of the upper portion of the channel next below. The clip is of slightly resilient material and the portions 26 and 28 are normally drawn close together so that when fitted to the lip 13 they clamp against opposite faces of the latter.

in making up a veneer wall structure 2, after the holding frame 3 has been fastened to the supporting wall 1 a clip 22 is seated in a channel and clamped over the lip thereof. A tile block is then seated in the channel. In doing this the block is held at a slight angle and lowered so that the bend 27 of the clip as well as the adjacent portion of the lip of the channel is received. up into the bottom slot 211 of the block, and so that the rear bottom leg 29 of the block enters into the U portion of the clip. The block is then pivoted rearwardly to erect position in the channel, whereupon the rear wall of the block will abut the right arm 24; of the clip. The arm 24 will support the block at its rear in erect position, and will maintain it in spaced relation to the back plate 4 of the channel so as to provide the air space 9. The block 8 is preferably of a height so as to provide only a slight clearance between its top wall and the underside of the panel 6 of the channel next above. Because of this close clearance, the top wall is declined, as at slightly and rearwarclly so as to permit the blocl: to be pivoted without obstruction or forcing when being moved to erect position in the channel.

A second clip is next positioned over the lip of the channel next above the seated block. This second clip is located on the lip of the channel so that the depending plate 28 thereof is entered into the top slot 1% of the seated block below. By this arrangement, the seated block is locked in its channel. Further blocks are entered into the channel in similar manner. The several blocks seated in a channel are spaced endwise slightly from one another. The several channels are filled with blocks. The spaces 32 between the ends of the blocks, and the spaces 33 between the courses of blocks are filled with a suitable cement 34. It is to be noted that the front walls 14 of the blocks beyond the slots 1%, 21 project beyond the lip portions of the channels, so that when the spaces 33 between the courses of blocks are filled with cement the lip portions of the channels are completely hidden from view. The cement is pressed well into the spaces 33 so as to drop down into the top slots 19 of the blocks and fill the latter about the depending plates 28 of the clips. By this arrangement, the resultant wall structure is solid, and the tile blocks thereof are interlocked and held fast together. Each block in the wall is further strengthened by the rear flange of the clip. The air space 9 that results behind the blocks serves not only as an insulating air pocket, but also tends to avoid dampness and consequent rot that might otherwise develop.

The clips 22 are relatively shorter in length than the tile blocks with which they are used; and while an upper and lower clip will suifice for each block, it is understood that a greater number may be used if desired with each block.

The tile blocks may be formed of brick, ceramic, wood, glass, or other material.

In Fig. 2 a modified form of the invention is shown. Here, the clip 22 used in Fig. l is dispensed with. The tile blocks 35 used with this form are of an interlocking type. The blocks are accommodated in a holding frame 36 which is the same as that in Fig. 1, except for a T-rib 37 that projects at right angles lengthwise of the mid area of the back plate portion 38 of each channel 39. The function of the T-rih is to space the blocks in a channel from the back plate as well as to give support to the blocks at the rear. The T-rib is formed similarly to the panel portions 43. of the frame by doubled over continuations of the back plate.

The block 35 used with the holding frame 36 in Pig. 2 is of rectangular proportion, and includes a slot 42 lengthwise of the bottom wall thereof. This slot is adapted to be positioned over the lip portion 431 of a panel dll when the block is seated in a channel of the holding frame. A pair of legs 45. 46 are defined at the bottom of the block by the slot. The rear leg 46 is adapted to be received in the channel forwardly of the T-rih. it is of such width that the rear wall 47 of the block abuts a ainst a cross arm 48 of the T-rib. The forward leg 45 is a part of the front wall of the block. It depends below the rear leg 46 and, when the block is seated in a channel, the leg 45 depends down in front of the upper portion of the channel next below. The block 35 is stepped in lengthwise of its upper front portion so as to provide a shoulder 51 and a recessed upper front wall 49. This recessed area of the block is complementary to the depending portion of the leg 4-5. When the block is seated erect in a channel, the recessed wall 49 thereof is coplanar with;

the outer face of the lip 43 of the channel next above."

By this arrangement, when a block is seated in a channel and another is seated in the channel above it, the depending leg of the upper seated block fronts the recessed wall 49 of the block below; and, accordingly, the blocks are interlocked with one another and retained in their respective channels. Each block 35 has a snug fit in its channel, so that when seated therein the rear wall of the block abuts the crossarm of the T-rib 37 and the front face of the rear leg 46 of the block abuts the inner face of the channel lip 43.

The depending leg 45 of a block seated in the channel depends to a point short of the shoulder 51 of the block in the channel next below, so that a narrow space 53 is provided. Each block in a channel is also spaced slightly from its neighbor, as at 54. The spaces 53 and 5 5 are filled in with a suitable cement that bonds the several blocks and courses of blocks to one another.

in Fig. 3 a corner strip 55 is shown. This strip may be used with either of the structures shown in Figs. 1 and 2. It is employed in finishing off a corner in the case where two adjacent wall structures meet, as in Fig. 4. In Fig. 4 a corner strip 55 is illustrated in association with partially formed adjacent wall structures 56 using the holding frame 3 of Fig. l.

The corner strip has an outer nose or substantially right angular portion 57. Extending rearwardly from the vertex of the nose portion is a rib plate 58 which divides at its rear to form a pair of wing plates 59 at right angles to one another.

When the corner strip is to be employed, it is afiixed in place before the holding frames 3 are applied to the adjacent supporting walls 1. The wing plates 59 are fastened to the adjacent walls 1 by nails, or the like. The holding frames 3 are then applied to the adjacent walls. A marginal end portion of each holding frame will overlap a corresponding wing plate 59. The tile blocks 8 are next loaded into the channels in the manner described with reference to Fig. 1, and are locked therein by the clips 22. However, those blocks 8 which will finish off the corner of the wall structure are cut on the bias, as at 61. These biased cut blocks, after being seated in their channel, are slid toward the corner strip until the biased portions are in flush abutment with the rib plate 58. The rib plate is of such outward extension that, when the blocks are in the latter position, the marginal ends 62 of the biased portions of the blocks will be overlapped by the arms 63 of the nose portion 57 of the corner strip. This corner arrangement not only finishes off a corner formed as above, but also further strengthens the adjacent wall structures.

While an embodiment of the invention has been shown and described in detail, it is to be expressly understood that the invention is not limited thereto. Various changes can be made in the design and arrangement of the parts without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, as the same will now be understood by those skilled in the art; and it is my intent, therefore, to claim the invention not only as shown and described, but also in all such forms and modifications thereof as many rea sonably be construed to be within the spirit of the invention and the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A tile block veneer wall structure comprising a supporting wall, an integral tile block holding frame unit formed of sheet material and having a back plate portion fastened to an outer face of the supporting wall and having a plurality of parallel spaced horizontally disposed forwardly extending panels whereby a plurality of channels are defined one above the other, a succession of tile blocks each disposed in part in a channel in spaced 5 relation to the back plate portion and in part forwardly out of the channel, and means associated with each tile block retaining the block in said position and in spaced relation to the back plate of the holding frame; wherein each panel of the back plate has an upwardly extending lip along its forward end, and each tile block has a slot longitudinally of its bottom engaged over the said lip; and wherein said retaining means is a clip characterized by a depending plate portion, and the lip of a panel located next above a block disposed in the channel below 1 is fitted with the clip so that the depending plate is engaged in a slot longitudinally of the top wall of the said block below.

2. A tile block veneer wall structure as defined in claim 1, wherein the tile blocks in each channel are spaced slightly from one another and from the blocks in the channels next above and below and such spaces are filled with cement, whereby the holding frame and clips fitted thereon are completely concealed from view.

3. A tile block veneer wall structure as defined in claim 2, wherein each clip fitted over the lip of a panel has a portion underlying the bottom of a block seated on the said panel and rising to the rear of the latter block to the midportion thereof and then extending rearwardly to abut the back plate portion of the holding frame so as to support the block in spaced relation to the back plate.

4. A tile block veneer wall structure comprising a supporting wall, an integral tile block holding frame unit formed of sheet material and having a back plate portion fastened to an outer face of the supporting wall and having a plurality of parallel spaced horizontally disposed forwardly extending panels whereby a plurality of channels are defined one above the other, a succession of tile blocks each disposed in part in a channel in spaced relation to the back plate portion and in part forwardly out of the channel, and means associated with each tile block retaining the block in said position and in spaced relation to the back plate of the holding frame, together with a second similar structure arranged in adjacent angular position to each other, wherein a corner strip is associated with the vertex of both wall structures and includes a pair of adjacent wing plates fixed to the adjacent supporting walls beneath the holding frame of each wall struc ture, a rib plate extending from a juncture of the wing plates in line with a bisector of the vertex angle of both wall structures, the corresponding ends of the tile blocks in the respective holding frames of the wall structures having biased formations abutting opposed faces of the rib plate, and the corner strip further including a nose L portion lengthwise of the outer end of the rib plate, the nose portion having an outwardly extending arm overlapping the adjacent marginal faces of the tile blocks of the first wall structure and a second outwardly extending arm overlapping the adjacent marginal faces of the tile blocks of the second wall structure.

5. For use in combination with a plurality of tile blocks, the combination of a holding frame having a series of parallel channels horizontally disposed one above the other for holding the blocks, wherein each block is of rectangular proportions having a slot lengthwise of its bottom wall, and the holding frame is characterized by a sheet metal plate attachable to a supporting wall and having a plurality of horizontally disposed parallel panels spaced one above the other and extending forwardly from the plate and defining the said series of channels, each panel having a vertically extending lip longitudinally of its forward end engageable in the bottom slot of each block received in the particular channel associated with the lip; and a plurality of locking elements engageable with the panels and the blocks for interlocking the blocks in adjacent channels next above and below to each other; wherein each locking element has a clip portion adapted to be clamped over a lip of a panel and to engage in the bottom slot of a tile block while so clamped, and has a plate portion forming a depending arm of the clip adapted to depend below the lip of the panel to enin a slot longitudinally of the top Wall of a tile block received in the channel next below the said panel.

6. In the combination as in claim 5, wherein each clip has in opposed relation to the depending arm a relatively shorter arm engageable with the inner face of the lip of a panel, a plate portion continuing from the latter arm that in adapted to underlie the bottom of a tile block seated on the said panel, and an upwardly and rearwardly extending section from the latter plate portion that is adapted to abut in part the rear of the last mentioned block and in part to abut the back plate of the holding frame.

7. In combination with a plurality of tile blocks, a holding frame having a series of parallel channels horizontally disposed one above the other and holding the blocks, each block being of rectangular proportions having a slot lengthwise of its top wall and a second slot lengthwise of its bottom wall, wherein the holding frame is characterized by a sheet metal plate attached to a supporting wall and having a plurality of horizontally disposed parallel panels spaced one above the other and extending forwardly from the plate and defining the said series of channels, each panel having a vertically extending lip along its forward end; and a plurality of locking elements interlocking the blocks in adjacent channels next above and below to one another, each locking element having a clip portion clamped over a lip of a panel and having a depending plate portion that depends down in front of the channel next below, each block being seated in a channel upon the lower panel thereof so that the bottom slot is engaged over the lip of the panel and over the clip clamped thereon, and the depending plate of the clip being received in the slot of the top wall of a block seated in the channel next below.

8. A holding frame for accommodating tile blocks in the form of a veneer wall structure, comprising a sheet metal back plate attachable to the outer face of a supporting wall, a series of parallel equally spaced panels projecting forwardly from the back plate at right angles so as to provide a series of channels one above the other for accommodating courses of tile blocks, a lip lengthwise of the forward end of each panel and extending upwardly in parallel relation to the back plate and formed to freely engage in slots longitudinally of the bottoms of the blocks; wherein the several panels and the lips thereof are offset continuations of the back plate, the back plate extendin with respect to each panel first outwardly to form an uuoernayer of the panel and an outer layer of the lip of the panel and then doubling over on itself and back. to define an inner layer of the said lip and an upper layer of the said panel.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Hasenburger et al Sept. 7, 1943 

